FORT BLISS >> Veterans and transitioning service members have a bit of a communication problem when it comes to promoting themselves and landing a civilian job, said a visiting Medal of Honor recipient Monday.

"We have to bridge the gap between the corporate world and veterans," said former Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, who received the nation's highest military honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in September 2009 in Afghanistan. Meyer was one of the visiting dignitaries attending the two-day Fort Bliss Veterans Job Summit, which continues today at the Centennial Club on post.

"It's basically a relationship problem and a lot of miscommunication," Meyer continued. "There's such a small percentage of the nation that goes out and serves. (Businesses) don't understand what we bring to the table.

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"With veterans, they are so humble," Meyer said. "They aren't going out and bragging about themselves. They served because they are selfless, not selfish."

Veterans don't know how to market themselves but have a series of skills that are valuable to employers, Meyer said. They have leadership, discipline, integrity and a "whatever-it-takes attitude," he said.

"They have a ton of training they've gotten inside of the military that corporations pay thousands of dollars to give in leadership," Meyer said. "These men and women got it. They have real-world experiences."

Meyer singled out a resume tool, resumeengine.org, that can help translate service members' skills into a language that businesses understand. Businesses can then search the site for veterans to hire, he added.

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The two-day summit is being put on by a partnership of groups led by the Hiring Our Heroes Program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

"I think Dakota Meyer put this best during a panel discussion earlier (Monday)," said Eric Eversole, the executive director of the Hiring Our Heroes Program. "What we're trying to do is bridge that communication gap between veterans who are looking for great career opportunities and businesses across the country who are looking for talented military service members to fill their needs."

This veterans summit is designed to serve as a prototype and will be taken to other communities around the country, Eversole said. El Paso was picked to be the first site because of its large military population, supportive community and a city that is growing economically, Eversole added.

Monday, workshops and panel discussions were geared toward educating business and community leaders about programs and hiring initiatives available for veterans and transitioning service members.

Today, the summit will continue with free workshops, panel discussions and a hiring fair, all for veterans, service members who are leaving the military and military spouses.

Rosye Cloud, a senior adviser for veteran employment with the Department of Veterans of Affairs in Washington, said the summit is about creating "some excitement and energy" and building a "pure partnership" to bring employers and veterans together.

"How can we best take the character, grit and integrity of America's veterans and translate that into a way that employers can understand and see the value in?" said Cloud, an El Paso native who graduated from Hanks High School. "We want to build momentum and excitement and connect employers and veterans across the nation."